Defending champs’ season comes to an end

Young and determined, West Union had a strong effort to open their second round series versus Smithvile, but the Lady Eagles could not carry that throughout the day, falling to the Lady Seminoles in three games.

West Union opened the day watching Smithville score four runs off four hits and two Lady Eagle errors. The Lady Eagles stormed right back with three runs in the bottom half of the first, as Bailey Bogue’s sacrifice scored the first run with bases loaded, followed by back-to-back Lady ‘Nole errors.

Smithville scored two more in the second off a two RBI single by Kyla Ford and maintained the three-run lead until the fifth inning.

Two errors and two hits made it a one-run game, and West Union tied the game on a single and error by Danielle Taylor. With Taylor on third, Smithville opted to intentionally walk Leah Paige Goolsby and Hannah McQuary, and with bases loaded, Jennie Avely walked Bogue, bringing in the winning run.

“They didn’t give up, and they continued to battle for the win,” West Union head coach Lisa Bogue said. “They pulled it off, but made errors later in the day that hurt us.”

The Lady Eagles were held to only two hits in game two, as Smithville tied the series after a 3-0 win.

A double by Kami Roberts placed runners in scoring position in the third inning, and Megan Whitehead scored on a sacrifice play by Breanna Edgeworth. Roberts had two hits in the game, including a leadoff single in the sixth. An error by West Union scored two runs to send the series to a deciding third game.

West Union’s scoring problems carried into game three, with Smithville taking the series after another 3-0 win. Whitehead and Ford each had multiple hits, but the defensive effort of the Lady ‘Noles was the deciding factor in the series, as Smithville did not allow any points for the Lady Eagles in 14 straight innings.

“We just couldn’t get it going, and when we did, they made the plays,” Bogue said. “We had some decent hits with the bat, but they made some great plays on defense. Credit them; they have a great defensive team.”

West Union will lose two seniors in Goolsby and Taylor, but there are several up and coming players, presenting a bright future for West Union, including pitcher Callie Baggett, who showed poise walking only three batters in the series.

“Callie did a tremendous job on the mound as an eighth grader, coming into this type of game and keeping her composure, against a team like Smithville,” Bogue said. “She did a great job. I don’t remember very many walks, so a tremendous effort on her part.” West Union ends the 2010 season at 17-14.